— Dr. Manish Maan (The Indian Express has launched a new series of articles for UPSC aspirants written by seasoned writers and erudite scholars on issues and concepts spanning History, Polity, International Relations, Art, Culture and Heritage, Environment, Geography, Science and Technology, and so on. Read and reflect with subject experts and boost your chance of cracking the much-coveted UPSC CSE. In the following article, Dr. Manish Maan explains the main cropping seasons in India and delves into factors shaping changes in India’s cropping pattern and its effect at the national level.) India’s agriculture is characterised by significant variability in the nature of its crops, largely due to its diverse climate, geography, and soil types. The diverse agro-climatic landscape allows the cultivation of a wide range of crops across different regions, making agriculture a cornerstone of India’s economy. According to the 2011 Census, 54.6 per cent of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities, underscoring the sector’s critical role in the nation’s economic growth and overall development. The agricultural sector all over the world is facing evolving challenges and emerging opportunities that require a new approach. In the case of India, where agriculture contributes to the country’s GDP significantly and provides livelihoods to a large chunk of the population, we now need to move past the slow and incremental approach and instead prepare for and embrace transformational change. This shift will enable the sector to capitalise on these opportunities and adapt to changing conditions, optimise resource use, and maximise its contribution to India’s future growth. Cropping patterns in India Cropping pattern refers to the distribution of different crops within a specific area at a given time. It indicates the yearly sequence and spatial arrangement of crops that follow in an area. In India, cropping patterns have traditionally been shaped by the monsoons, which determine the agricultural calendar of the country. India’s agricultural landscape is broadly divided into Kharif (monsoon), Rabi (winter) and Zaid cropping seasons. Kharif Cropping The Kharif cropping begins in July and lasts around September or October. This season heavily relies on monsoon rains, which significantly influence the types of crops grown and their yields. Major Kharif crops include rice, maize, sorghum, millet, pulses (arhar and moong), and oilseeds (groundnut and soybean). Among these, rice is the most prominent Kharif crop, especially in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, where it forms the backbone of the state’s agricultural economy. The area sown with Kharif crops exceeds 378 lakh hectares, reflecting a 14.10 per cent increase compared to the previous year. In 2022-23, rice production was estimated at a record 1357.55 lakh tonnes, highlighting the crop’s significance and the success of the Kharif season. Maize is another important crop of this season, with its production steadily increasing due to its versatility as a food, fodder, and industrial crop. Rabi Cropping Rabi cropping typically begins with the onset of winter in October and concludes with the harvesting season around March or April. This season plays a crucial role in ensuring food security in India, contributing significantly to the country’s total food grain production. In 2022-23, the total area sown with Rabi crops registered an increase of 3.25 per cent (from 697.98 lakh hectares in 2021-22 to 720.68 lakh hectares in 2022-23). The primary Rabi crops include wheat, barley, mustard, gram, and lentils. Wheat stands out as the most important Rabi crop, occupying a significant portion of the total cultivated area during this season. Wheat production has been consistently rising, with estimates for 2022-23 reaching a record 1105.54 lakh tonnes, reflecting an upward trend in production. Other major Rabi crops include mustard and gram. Mustard is crucial for oil production, and India has seen a steady rise in its cultivation. The area under mustard increased by 6.77 lakh hectares, from 91.25 lakh hectares in 2021-22 to 98.02 lakh hectares in 2022-23. The area under pulses increased by 0.56 lakh hectares, from 167.31 lakh hectares in 2021-22 to 167.86 lakh hectares in 2022-23. Moong beans and lentils accounted for this increase in the area under pulses. Zaid Cropping Zaid crops are grown in the short intervening season between Kharif and Rabi, typically from March to June. Common Zaid crops include watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, bitter gourd, and fodder crops. These crops require warm, dry weather and longer daylight hours. They are cultivated using residual moisture in the soil or with the help of irrigation. The area under cultivation of Zaid crops has increased progressively by 2.7 times, from 29.71 lakh hectares in 2017-18 to 80.46 lakh hectares in 2020-21. Factors determining cropping patterns The cropping patterns in India are shaped by environmental, economic, cultural, and policy-related factors. Environmental factors: With the country’s diverse agro-climatic zones and variable soil types dictating the suitability of different crops, the environment plays a critical role in determining agricultural output. The prevalence of pests and diseases in specific areas also leads farmers to choose crops that are less susceptible to local threats. Kharif cropping is highly susceptible to the vagaries of the monsoon, making it more vulnerable to climate change impacts such as irregular rainfall patterns and extreme weather events. Maize yields are projected to decrease by 18 per cent by 2050 and 23 per cent by 2080. Rainfed rice yields in India are projected to decrease by 20 per cent in 2050 and 47 per cent by 2080, while irrigated rice yields are expected to decline by 3.5 per cent in 2050 and 5 per cent by 2080 due to climate change, according to the National Action Plan on Climate Change. Climate change also poses a significant threat to Rabi cropping, with unpredictable weather patterns potentially affecting crop yields. Climate change is projected to reduce wheat yields by 19.3 per cent by 2050 and 40 per cent by 2080, with significant spatial and temporal variations. Technological adoption and varietal improvement: The use of modern farming techniques, high-yield variety (HYV) seeds, and mechanisation has enabled farmers to cultivate crops that may not have been traditionally viable in certain regions, thereby altering traditional cropping patterns. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has made substantial contributions through varietal improvement programmes. Between 2014 and 2022, ICAR released 1,956 high-yielding, stress-tolerant varieties and hybrids of field crops, of which 1,622 are climate-resilient. Social and cultural factors: The deeply ingrained socio-cultural factors significantly influence the crops grown in various regions. Long-standing traditions, local customs, and cultural practices often dictate crop choices, with certain crops being cultivated for specific religious festivals or community needs. The size of landholdings also plays an important role: small-scale farmers often focus on subsistence crops, while larger landowners may prioritise cash crops for the market. The number of marginal landholdings (less than one hectare) increased from 36 million in 1971 to 93 million in 2011. Marginal and small landholdings face several challenges, such as difficulties with mechanisation and irrigation techniques, according to Agricultural Statistics, 2015. Government interventions: Policy changes significantly influence cropping patterns. Government policies related to subsidies, credit facilities, crop insurance, and agricultural extension services can either encourage or discourage the cultivation of certain crops. For the 2023-24 season, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif and Rabi crops has been increased across various crops to ensure farmers receive fair compensation despite potential market fluctuations. Horticulture production in the country has been steadily increasing over the years, thanks to proactive policies and initiatives by the Union and the State Governments. These policy interventions are complemented by improvements in crop production technologies and management practices. According to the 2nd advance estimates for 2022-23, total horticulture production is estimated to reach 351.92 million tonnes, surpassing the total foodgrain production of 329.69 million tonnes for the same year. Changes in cropping patterns Increase in cropping intensity: Cropping intensity refers to the practice of growing multiple crops on the same piece of land within a single agricultural year. The cropping intensity has increased in India from 111 per cent in 1950-51 to 151 per cent in 2019-20, registering an increase of 40 per cent since independence. This increase is largely due to the rising population, which has exerted pressure on land to enhance productivity per unit area, per unit time, and for the resources used. Reduction in the dominance of food crops: The area under foodgrains in the gross cropped area (GCA) has declined by 11.62 per cent mainly due to a fall in the area under coarse cereals by 16.78 per cent between 1970-71 and 2020-21. The area lost by food grains was used for the cultivation of oilseeds, fruits and vegetables and non-food crops to the extent of 3.67 per cent, 6.40 per cent and 3.79 per cent, respectively, between 1970-71 and 2020-21, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Changes in cropping area: States like Punjab and Haryana, which were once the epicentres of rice and wheat cultivation, are now witnessing a gradual reduction in the area under these crops. The high-value commercial crops are taking the lead in terms of area share. The area under commercial crops like cotton and sugarcane registered a significant increase from 4.70 per cent to 6.55 per cent and from 1.62 per cent to 2.43 per cent during 1970-71 to 2020-21, respectively. The area under groundnut came down from 4.42 per cent in 1970-71 to 2.62 per cent in 2020-21. The area under coarse cereals (jowar, bajra, maize, millets, barley) has declined significantly from 28.48 per cent in 1970-71 to 11.7 per cent in 2020- 21, according to MoSPI. Thus, the shift in cropping patterns has driven farmers to transition from traditional subsistence farming to a more diversified and commercially oriented agricultural approach. However, this shift brings challenges as well. As more farmers turn to high-value crops, the balance between cash crops and essential food grains is getting disturbed, potentially jeopardising food security. The key challenge now is to ensure that while embracing diversification, we do not undermine the availability of staple food grains crucial for the nation’s well-being, all while considering the sustainable use of natural resources. Post Read Question Discuss factors that determine shift in India's cropping patterns. What are the major cropping seasons in India? Which season plays a crucial role in ensuring food security in India? Evaluate the benefits of promoting crop diversification. What are the key challenges posed by the shift in cropping patterns in India? (Dr. Manish Maan is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sciences at DBS Global University. He specialises in agricultural intensification, Agroforestry and research guidance.) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Share your thoughts and ideas on UPSC Special articles with ashiya.parveen@indianexpress.com.
